ANTIPOLO CITY, September 30 ------ Rain or Shine escaped with a 111-106 overtime win over Magnolia in a controversial finish to Game Three in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals at the Ynares Center. The Elasto Painters survived with Gian Mamuyac and Jhonard Clarito making the free throws in the end game to give them a 2-1 series lead.
The final seconds of the extra period was not without controversy. Down 106-104, Zavier Lucero had his lay-up blocked by Clarito forcing Magnolia to foul and send Mamuyac to the line. However, after referees reviewed the play, Clarito's block was deemed as a goal tending violation, giving Lucero the basket and forcing a tie once more at 106. But with the referee already calling the foul, the free throws on Mamuyac stood, much to the dismay of Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero.
Mamuyac split his free throws, but Aaron Fuller grabbed the rebound and was fouled, draining two free throws to make it a 109-106 lead. Clarito then sealed the game with a steal off the inbounds play, and settled the final score by converting two free throws. Fuller had 29 points and 11 rebounds, just two days after he suffered an eye injury and his status for Game Three in question.
Clarito had 18 points and eight rebounds, while Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut had 15 points apiece for the Elasto Painters. “Natuwa rin ako na we were able to hold our emotions, we were able to play through the end game,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “Beteranong beterano na itong Magnolia. They’ve been through a lot of battles like this. Talunin mo ang Magnolia sa isang dikdikang laban sa end game, ibig sabihin, medyo matibay ka na rin pang-ending.”
Rain or Shine had to secure the win in the overtime period after Lucero tied the game at 98 with a four-pointer with 13.4 seconds left in regulation. Jabari Bird had 31 points including a jumper which got Magnolia up by three, 104-101, with 1:10 left only for Fuller to hit a three-point play on the following possession to tie the game. Fuller also hit two free throws with 18.3 seconds left for a 106-104 count.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 111 – Fuller 29, Clarito 18, Mamuyac 15, Caracut 15, Santillan 13, Belga 10, Nocum 6, Norwood 5, Tiongson 0, Lemetti 0.
Magnolia 106 – Bird 31, Lucero 24, Dionisio 12, Sangalang 9, Ahanmisi 9, Abueva 8, Barroca 6, Lee 6, Mendoza 1, Dela Rosa 0, Reavis 0.
Quarters: 29-18; 50-38; 73-66; 98-98; 111-106.
Source: spin.ph
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